Improvement in shoe and glove buttoners



J. F. ADAMS.

snon Ann GLOVE BUTTONER. I No.172,066. Patented .]'a.n .11,1876a UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOHN FTADAMS, OF IRVINGTON, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOE AND GLOVE BUTTONERS. I

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 172,066, dated January 11,1876; application filed November 23, 1875.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a plan view of an instrument embodying my invention, showing the same open. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, closed. Fig: 3 rep resents a modification of the contour of the hook, being varied fromthat in the previous figures. Fig. 4 shows a modification of my invention when one hook is employed.

A and B are levers, pivoted at (J upon a rivet or screw, in common use. One end of each of these levers is provided with a flattened portion ora knob, F, to enable the thumb and finger or fingers to firmly grasp the same. provided with a hook, H, rounded oft to a point or an approximate point, as shown in the drawings.

To button a glove or shoe, the points of the hooks H are brought together, as shown in Fig.2, and inserted through thebuttou-hole. The books are then separated and placed around and closed over the shank of the button, which latter is then drawn through the buttonhole, or the latter over it. The levers are then opened and the hooks withdrawn.

As the hooks embrace the button-shank on both sides there is no danger of the buttonslipping, especially if the glove or shoe is tight, and has to be stretched to be buttoned.

I11 Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the hooks H of a semicircular form. They may, however,

be made in the form shown in Fig. 3, or of a similar form, which enables them ,to be placed around the shank of the button and grasp the same.

In Fig. 4'1 have shown a modification of the instrument when used as a buttoner. In

The other end G of these levers is this but one hook is'employed, which is made larger than those shown in the other figures, and which, when the levers A B are brought together, abuts against the end G of lever B. By this modification the same result of securely grasping the shank of the button is secured as when two hooks are employed.

The levers A and B may have their contiguous edges sharpened like a pair of scissors, and the instrument thusjadapted to cut as well as button.

When the contiguous edges of the levers A and B are sharpened, one of the hooks H (shou n in Figs. 1, 2, and 3) may be dispensed with; but I prefer to provide both levers with hooks. These hooks may either form a part of the lovers, or they may be made separate from, and attached to, the levers by any of the common means in use for this purpose. These hooks, having the form described, are useful for untying knots, and may also be used as pinchers.

When the hole in the shoe or glove is too small to receive both hooks when brought together, one of the hooks may be used.

The advantages possessed by my instrument are, that it can easily be placed over.

the button, is not liable to slip from the same, and can be readily removed from it.

The hooks are so formed as to be useful for untying knots, &c., and when the contiguous edges of the levers are sharpened, it becomes a useful article for clerks in stores, and for the work-basket. I

Having thus described my invention and the merits it possesses, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The pivoted levers A and B, provided with rounded hooks H, adapted for use sub stantially as shown and described.

2. The pivoted levers A and B, sharpened upon their contiguous edges, and provided with a hook or hooks, H, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN F. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

J OHN G. FOSTER, Jr., CHARLES D. HUGHES. 

